Lamp-out

[truemouse]

Left rear side-light blown. How do I get the cluster out?

 

I've opened the trunk and failed to find the usual screws that'd loosen it, I've check in the trunk and found the access panel (Inside the left hand storage compartment on the vertical surface nearest the tail-gate) but it's tiny and too damned close to the back of the cluster to afford access. It's like playing proctologist with my Picasso.

 

What's the secret?

 

(I was too dumb to pick up a 'casso Haynes, thinking that with a new car I wouldn't need to do any serious repairs to a '05 car. Shoulda been the first thing on my shopping list.)

[pork_pie]

Good luck in finding it mate.

 

Hopefully you will not have to resort to having to take it to the garage where they would charge you about 20 pounds for 15 minutes work.

 

Citroen makes things so difficult that you have to take it tot he garage. How else do they make their money?!

[truemouse]

Every modern car company does that.

 

Pontiac make their cars so cheap you end up busting all the plastic ties and seals doing it yourself. So unless you have a limitless supply of disposable clips and ties, you cannot do anything with them. I installed a towing hitch to my Sunfire coupe and electrics. I tried to be super-cool with it and route it so I wouldn't have to drill small holes in it. The nuts that hold the clusters on them are PRESSED out of SHEET METAL.

 

So it's not just Citroen.

[truemouse]

Well, now I have 2 new 'double filament' LED bulbs in (Just so's I never have to change 'em ever again. 2 down, 6 to go.)

 

I have to take my serving of crow pie now. It's been built for ease of bulb replacement. It's just that I've been re-wiring tail-lights for so long I've gotten myself into a rut. I decided to think outside the box for a change. There are NO SCREWS!

 

So here's a run down of bulb replacement.

 

Expose the access flap (You have a storage compartment on the left and the shopping trolley on the right) open the flap (May stick a little as the carpet hasn't been cut all the way though so's to keep the interior looking clean prior to bulb replacement) pull the sponge out of apeture in metal frame (sponge - Citroen's friend since 1948) deep inside you'll see a metal clip. Using a large long-shafted plain screwdriver (Or lever of choice) push the clip upwards (Do not remove) until you hear a click. Remove the cluster from the outside, bottom first.

 

You have two plastic locating lugs on the outside edge of the cluster and two clips, one top, one bottom. Discconect wiring, un-clip centre bulb assembly from lens and replace bulb. Re-attach wiring to check bulb (If you fold the middle seat down, you can see into the trunk for when you want to check the brake light) To re-assemble re-attach the lens to bulb assembly, locate top clip first, the two locating lugs next and push firmly at the bottom, replace the sponge bung, fabric access flap and side storage led/ shopping trolley.

 

(So it's a little long-winded, but I reckon it's best to give as detailed an account as possible. The driver's manual is a little vague.)